Anglers from all across Ontario gathered in North Bay over the weekend for one of the largest fishing tournaments in the province.
One by one they filed out onto the choppy waters of Lake Nipissing.
Some anglers arrived early to get an early taste of the hot spots the week before.
Jay Hotzak is angler that was on the 2016 Team Ontario team.
"I found an area on Wednesday for largemouth and I didn't kill it, but I knew there were fish there, so I basically bagged on that area." said Hotzak.
Even though the weather was wet and rough, the anglers caught more fish than they could carry.
Terry Wilson is an angler that was on the 2017 Team Ontario team.
"If I had kept five fish, I would have had 19 pounds." said Wilson.
It’s the first time a tournament of this magnitude has come to North Bay and officials with the local Bassmasters Club were honoured to host it.
Mathew Koprash of North Bay Bassmaster is the qualifier committee chair for the 2018 tournament.
"We couldn't have done this without the participation of the City of North Bay, their sport tourism group, and tourism north bay." said Koprash.
Anglers competing in the tournament are split in two groups: boaters and non-boaters.
The 10 fishermen from each category who catch the largest bass, make Team Ontario's fishing team and will compete in Maine in the northern B.A.S.S. division derby and have an opportunity to move on to the Bassmaster Classic, the largest fishing event in the world.
"We have anglers all across the province that came up. The end goal is to make Team Ontario and we're really looking forward to it. We have 182 competitors that came to the town this week." said Koprash.
As much as it is a chance to prove your skills as an angler, those out on the lake say good sportsmanship and enjoying time on the water is the one thing that everyone will take away.
"It's all about teaching people all about the sport, coming in, and giving them an opportunity to be on a nice little bass boat." said Koprash.
Some anglers are just starting to learn, while others have competed on Team Ontario before and want the chance to give it another go.
"We'll be going to a whole different area. Today is a new day and all I can do is fish the water that is in front of me and let the chips fall where they may." said Wilson.
"I'm hoping to repeat yesterday. I know there's still fish in my area. I left a lot behind and fingers are crossed they're going to cooperate with me today." said Hotzak.
And in the end, it's about making friends and learning a new trick or two for the next time the fish bite.
"It's just fishing." Said Hotzak.
